Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-11-19

"How is this? What's up? Here's their
engine with none Of their men on board"
Fortunately Andrews was Just at hand
and promptly replied, II have taken this
train by government authority to run am
munition through to Gen. B~eauregard,
who must have it at once"
He waved his hand toward the car in
winch we were hut up representing the
powderD, and they inquired no further in
that direction, but simply asked when the
passenger train would be along. Andrews
responded indifferently that he could not
tell exactly, but supposed it would not be
a great while, as they were getting out
another train when he left Atlanta. With
this cold comfort they were obliged to be
contented, and Andrews, leaving the en-
CINE in care Of his three comrades, went
into the telegraph Office, which was on
the side of the depot next us, and asked,
What is the matter with the local
freight that it is not heres' He was
shown a telegraph dispatch for Fuller,
ordering him to wait at this point for its
coming-an indication that it was not
very far away. This was the only infor-
nation vouchsafed to us by the manage
ment of the road during the whole of that
eventful day!.
Andrews returned to his engine, and
stood there, or walked about on the end
OF the platform near by during the tedious
moments of waiting. He did not seek to
enter Int conversation with any one, but
quietly answered any questions asked.
He appeared distracted and a little
anxious. as was natural for one running
an express ammunition train, on which
the safety of an army might depend! 1t
was fortunate that his real and assumed
characters were so much in harmony.
Brown, Knight and Wilson attended to
their engine, seeing that all was in good
order with q reasonable head Of steam.
and refrained, as far as they could, from
any kind of conversation, answering all
demands in monosyllables. Their position
during this enforced stop was embarrass-
ing, but far less painful than ours in the
box car. We could hear low murmurs
outside, we knew that we were at a sta
ton, and alongside another train, and
could hear the tread of feet; but we could
not learn why we did not press on. A
thousand con1ecturcs will spring up ut
such times; and the possibilities of our
situation We're ample enough for all kinds
of imagining. We had a tolerably high
estimate of u lighting power, and did
not doubt that we could capture any or
binary train, or the usual crowd around
a village station. But to be shut up in
the dark, while-for ausht we knew-the
enemy might be concentrating an over
whelming force against us. was exceed
1ngly trying, and put the implicit conf
dencc we had i'll IL leader to Il very Sc
we're test. There was no precaution An.
drews had neglectcd-probably because
he trusted so fully in his own marvellous
g~enius-but the need of which was felt
keenly afterward. No lieutenant was ap-
pointed. One who could have taken
charge Of the men. leaving Andrews free
to plan.am give general directions, woul,
have boon support to us now and y heir
to all Of lis later. With George ID. vii
son or ON other Of the soldiers us au
thorized second, the force would have
been III better fighting trim, and. what is
OF still more Importance, Andrews would
have felt more free to order the capture
Of any pursuing train. But at present
we had nothing to do but wait till the
road wHs cleared for us.
Before suspense became intolerablc the
whistle Of al approaching train was
heard, and the local freight rumblcd up
to the eastern side Of the depot and
stopped on the main track. Andrews
made haste to begin the Inevitable con,
versation. lie went over and spoke tc
the conductor, telling him to pull his
train, which was quite long, on down the
road so that We might get ont of tho
switch and proceed on our way, adding
the same powder story. This conductor
saw that Andrews vas treated with
marked Difference by the people about the
station, and did not hesitate to believe hi,
story and obey the order. But before he
had moved his train Andrews noticed a
red flag on the hind car, and at once OK
claimed: ''What does this mean. | am
ordered to get this powder through 10
Be~auregard at the earliest possible mo
ment, and now you are signaling for IN,
other train on the track!' No doubt An
drcws felt all the vexation he expressed.
The a said he vas very sorry. but it
could not be helped: and then he gave the
reason, which was q startling piece of in.
t~elli-ance. Mitchell had captured Hunts.
willie and was said 10 be advancing east
ward toward Chattanooga by forced
marches; and rs they had no force to re-
sist him, they were running everything
out of Chattanooga, and had put a large
extra train on The track to get the rolling
stock, us well as the goods, out Of the
way. Andrews thanked him for the in
formation, and told him to go a long way
down the road SO that the extra would
have room enough to get by, adding, II
must be off the very first minute that is
possible The conductor made no oh
lection, but asked, "What will you lie
about Mitchell at Huntsville:" Andrews
replied: II do not believe tie story
Mitchell would not be fool enough to rur
down there, but If he is, Bcauregnrd vii
soon sweep him out of the road. At an,
rate l have my orders" The train was
pulled down the road. and the tedious pro.
cess of waiting continued.